The Opelousas courier., 1887-10-08
record Of Gov. McEnerys administrator has

record OF Gov. McEnerys administration has
been equally creditable.
The situation at the outset of mis- admins
tre tie was set forth in ], big FL fret message:
the finances of the State have been IN
settled. Doubt, distrust and litigation have
brought the credit Of the State to such a
3 ar reafo snaE sse Fl h gooe cr Ssaitea an e 1 bonor. fgt +
has been estimated by competent men that
the loss to the State in internal prosperity by
the unfortunate debt lmbroglio has been
more than the entire debt of the State"
The creditors had refused to accept the
proposed settlementand large sums of money
had accumulated in the fiscal agency, where
it was t,edup by injunctions through Federal
courts.
A petition was received by the Governor,
signed by a large number of b~ondholders
and Others deeply interested in the welfare
of the State" requesting Gov. McEnery to
recommend to the General Assembly and to
the people a final settlement on the basis of
4 per cent interest per annum from Jan. L,
1885.
This petition was supplemented by an ear
nest prayer of merchants and citizens to the
General Assembly, embracing the signatures
of nearly all the business men OF New Or
leans.
Gov. McEnery cordially Endorsed this meas
ure to the General Assembly, saying:
IF this proposition is received f~aForably
there will beaiarge amount OF capital seek
ing investmeast here. Immigration, which
has been practically excluded, will come, as
capital and Immigration flow in The same
channels. fndividualpredit is MOI unreason-
ably associated with public credit by those
who seek for the safety OF their investments;
II respectfully recommend the settlement
proposed. and that an amendment to the
Constitution carrying 1T out be submitted to
the people,
The results predicted have been realized.
| Litigation ceased, confidence was restored at
home and abroad, creditors accepted the set
tlement, q consols were listed on the Ex-
changes of New York and London at the re-
dnced rate Of interest, and the credit OF the
this campaign, when the bonds were quoted
as high as "a cents in New York. The fiscal
affairs of the State were placed with two of
have receded the explanation must be sought
IN the senseless agitation OF the debt cues
ton by the opponents OF Gov. McEnery IN
their search for political capital. =,
For 1877 and 1873, on an assessment OF
says177, 900, 900, there was collected about
6628 per cent of the taxes.
In 1885 and 1886, on an assessment OF
say S213, 000,0 900, there ls being collected
over 90 per cent of the tax. and in two
thirds of the parishes of the State collections
exceed e5 per cent of the corrected rolls.
The percentage of collections OF last years
tax, which became enforceable Dec 81, paid
into the State treasury during the first four
months OF 1887, was greater than the total
percentage of the tax of 1877 OF 1878 col
fected during the three succeeding years.
sa lhe ss5e ooo. and III That ih for s 1857 VIII VIII from rom
present reports, reach $219, e0e, goo.
In yindication of the opinion that q large
amount of capital would seek Investment
and immigration come, we may point TO the
lands and large sales of private lands a. en-,
HANGED values, and to the commencement Of
immigration to various sections OF Louisiana
For laany years the practice OF LegIsla'
lures making appropriations in excess OF ths
possible revenue has been the chief cause o.
disordered finances. Gov. McEnery earnest
ly sought to impress upon eaeh Geneiai As
sembly the necessity of combining all appro
priations to the receipts, and finally, II
1886, by his representation, and by, the an
nouncement that he would veto all bills II
excess of probable revenue, the creation O.
floating debt WAS stopped.
All warrants for the constitutional officer
and general expenses OF the State govern
ment are paid in cash for the year 1887 a
issued, and 80 healthful was the condition 9
the general fund for this year that no diff
Guilty was experienced in arranging for cast
advances of rs per cent on the warrants o
public institu1ioPss; .,s.o ;ns.;tut;on. fro,,
Jan. L, 1sS7,are no longer sold on the mar
ket, ap5canndS be bought at ninety-five cent
on the dollar.
Gov. MeEnery's friends do not claim tha
, all of the Improvements apf progress mad
in this State during the PAST six years Is du
) solely to him or his administration.
His friends claim that he has been an ear
nest, energetic, practical, worker. in behal
} Of the agricultural, industrial and fnancia
interests Of the State, With bold: broad an,
: comprehensive views and plans touchlni
{ every material question affecting the people
: and has thus promoted the public welfare. :,
He has been unremitting in his devotion t
the duties Of his office. and when the law
t were silent or inadequate to the necessities g
/ his people he has been ready, not only wit
proper remedies, but has insistentiy N
nreacnd his views upon the LEGISLATURE an
. public opinion until relief has been found,
His life and his services are befole the pub
? lie for calm and thoughtful Investigation c
discussion. .
His hopes, ambitions and affections are il
separately linked with the progress and deve
opment of his State and the supremacy {
9 the Democratic party. -,
+ His friends feel that he has won the rigEt
q to a calm and impartial examination of hi
e record, with the claims of other deseryin
: Democrats, and disclai.n the slightest desil
upon their part, or his, to detraet from II
merits or services of any other citizen OF tt
State.